Apple may bring its next Vision Pro headset with the M5 chip to market before 2026 begins. Analyst Ming‑Chi Kuo says Apple plans to begin mass production of this updated model in the third quarter of 2025. This move would extend Apple’s mixed‑reality lineup and keep momentum in a still niche market.
Roadmap for Vision Pro and Smart Glasses
Kuo outlines Apple’s device schedule through 2028. He expects:
- An M5‑powered Vision Pro in late 2025
- A second‑generation Vision Pro in the second half of 2028
- A Vision Air design powered by an A‑series chip at a lower price point by 2028
- Two pairs of Ray‑Ban‑style smart glasses before the end of 2028 .
This staggered release plan would allow Apple to serve high‑end mixed reality users and then expand into lighter, more affordable wearables.
What the M5 Vision Pro Might Offer
The next Vision Pro could feature Apple’s M5 chip, delivering faster graphics and improved power efficiency. Observers expect refinements in display clarity and battery life. Apple may also trim weight through carbon fiber frames and reposition cooling vents. Early insiders suggest the M5 Vision Pro could be 10 percent lighter than the initial model, making all‑day use more comfortable.
Projected Shipments and Market Impact
Kuo forecasts shipments of 150,000 to 200,000 units of the M5 Vision Pro in 2027 . He describes the headset as still serving an early‑adopter audience while reinforcing Apple’s presence in augmented and virtual reality. These sales could help Apple refine component forecasts and support a broader ecosystem of apps and services.
What’s Next?
Apple has mixed reality dreams that follow well beyond the M5 version towards 2028. The second generation of Vision Pro is the one that might provide less thick lenses and be more heavily integrated with the Apple Intelligence, whereas Vision Air might look like regular glasses and use iPhone processing power.
According to the wearables roadmap provided by Apple, there could be a two-level plan in the form of expensive headsets, targeting the enthusiastic customers and cheaper products that could be used on a day to day basis. The entry of Apple in the mixed reality is at an infant stage. The introduction of the M5 Vision Pro at a future date of 2025 would be a significant move to smaller, affordable headsets. Analysts will be on the lookout of official announcements towards the end of the year to verify the specific time Kuo outlined.
